Safety - Who Stays And Who Goes?

[rmw10]

With a slow offseason, and a slow time at work for me, I figured I'd just run down all of the positions. Again, we're simply analyzing by position to see who stays and who goes.

Starters:
Ed Reed - Ignore all of the media attention. He'll be here and he'll be starting at the FS spot. Not much else needs to be said about him

Bernard Pollard - A hard-hitting SS that plays like a Raven. Again, there's no question that he'll be starting opposite of Ed next year.


Guaranteed Backups:
Christian Thompson - A rookie we just drafted and one that has taken tutelage from Ed Reed even before he was drafted. Possible future S, but he's a draft pick, so he'll make the team.


Other Possibilities:
Sean Considine - A ST and "Harbaugh" guy. He can swing between both S positions, although he's not all that at either of them. All of his value comes from ST.

Emanuel Cook - Another ST guy that apparently ran with the first-team in Ed's absence. He plays a lot like Nakamura, and he could be good value at 24 years old. He's learning the ball-hawking ways since he already possesses a reputation as a hard-hitter. Does he beat out Considine?

Cyhl Quarles - A UDFA that we pulled out of Wake Forest. He has a similar skill set to Pollard in that he's a hard hitter with poor coverage skills. Could be a good PS guy.

Omar Brown - Another UDFA that has some potential, but probably won't even come close to making the roster. Usually, when there are no reports on a UDFA, it means he's most likely just a camp body.



So, to wrap up, who gets that 4th S spot?

[Markus92]

Personally i hope Cook beats out Considine... he's younger and has way more upside...plus I've seen Considine play and he's .........-___-

[ravensfan2430]

Ed Reed stays.. then goes... then stays... then goes...

[NaveSenrag]

It's unfortunate that Considine isn't a better player, because he seems like a nice guy who got seriously screwed last year, but as it stands I only see us keeping Reed, Pollard, Thompson, and Cook.

[berad]

Considine could be another Jim Leonhard - people undervalued him and expected him to get cut, too... he went on to have a really good season for us. That said, I hope the players in front of him stay healthy (unlike Leonhard's case).

Don't count him out, yet, let's see how it progresses.

[mhead66]

Obviously, Reed, Pollard and Thompson are locks.

And the 4th player will make the team based upon how they perform on STs - Considine is 29 and has never started consistently for any of his 4 previous teams. However, if he's continued to earn an NFL paycheck, based on STs, for the last 7 years, he must have what it takes making ST tackles. Cook's in his 4th season, and also has never started one game.

All four guys should get a fair chance to make it or fail... but you have to give the advantage to the guy with the experience... Considine.

[Bullrush]

This is a far cry from what we had last season at safety with Zibby & Ruki. I wouldn't want any of those guys step in for Ed or Pollard at any point.

[kassaiscool]

Its between Cook and Considine, Cook can knock you out and I feel he has more upside than Sean. I don't know what Sean Considine does well, but it speaks to his talents in a bad way that he has been on so many teams. I noticed Cook different times last year on Special teams, like in the afc championship game when he recovered the ball from a fumble on ST.

[GrimCoconut]

If I was a betting man, it would be Cook over Considine with Cyhl as the PS safety. Cook has a lot going for him in that he is on the team and he is getting a lot of reps. Considine is a good ST guy but Cook has made plays there and I think Cook's versatility will be more important. Cyhl seems like a good developmental guy to me. Considine just doesn't impress me.

[Rav'n Maniac]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1340306214' post='1092172']
Considine could be another Jim Leonhard - people undervalued him and expected him to get cut, too... he went on to have a really good season for us. That said, I hope the players in front of him stay healthy (unlike Leonhard's case).

Don't count him out, yet, let's see how it progresses.
[/quote]

Agreed. He definitly has more experience than the others. I just like Cook's age and versitility more.

[Dfence4champs2052]

EDIT: Cook will be here because of his ST value and upside. READ: younger

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='Bullrush' timestamp='1340310306' post='1092205']
This is a far cry from what we had last season at safety with Zibby & Ruki. I wouldn't want any of those guys step in for Ed or Pollard at any point.
[/quote]

This is true, anybody after Reed and Pollard is going to be a serious downgrade. At least Cook and Thompson have upside.

[CalvinSmoke]

I think Cook will get the nod over Considine. But I'm excited for our ST squad either way. I imagine us having a lot more forced fumbles this year during kickoffs.

[black blood purple passion]

the fact that Cook was given the starting nod in OTA's over Considine speaks volumes I think.

[bMore Heathen]

Considine was one of Harbs boys from Philly, so I think he might get the nod. He is better on STs then Cook, and that will play a factor.

[hawkprey]

Cook has impressed like Boren has on the other side of the ball. I hope he doesn't get lost in training camp and end up being nothing more than a nice little OTA story.

[Bazooka Joe]

Reed
Pollard
Thompson
Cook

[pgk]

Reed, Pollard and Thompson are the obvious locks. I think there is a chance that both Considine and Cook get cut. I know this sounds crazy, but we have so much talent at CB, I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them get moved to safety rather than get cut. Pees has mentioned before in interviews that he likes to get the most talented guys on the field even if it means them having to lean multiple positions.

[Free Agent]

[quote name='pgk' timestamp='1341407404' post='1095362']
Reed, Pollard and Thompson are the obvious locks. I think there is a chance that both Considine and Cook get cut. I know this sounds crazy, but we have so much talent at CB, I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them get moved to safety rather than get cut. Pees has mentioned before in interviews that he likes to get the most talented guys on the field even if it means them having to lean multiple positions.
[/quote]

I was thinking the same thing. I could see someone like Chykie Brown being penciled in at least at safety, just so we could keep all of those talented corners on the team.

[Corvus]

Depending on how many corners make the final cut, there is a possibility we keep Thompson, Considine, and Cook all on the active roster. However since I see us taking a minimum of 6 into the season (Webb, Smith, Williams, Graham, Gorrer, likely Brown) and likely a 7th in Asa Jackson (we just used a pick on him, don't think the team will risk him on waivers to the PS, if he doesn't make the cut, a mysterious season ending "injury" may occur as we've seen many times with young prospects on this team), I doubt it happens. But with the slightly larger final rosters now from years past, I still wouldn't rule out a 5th safety.

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='Bazooka Joe' timestamp='1340815504' post='1093720']
Reed
Pollard
Thompson
Cook
[/quote]

[color=#4b0082][font=trebuchet ms, helvetica, sans-serif][b]i like this line up.[/b][/font][/color]

[Corvus]

As I said before in this thread, if Cook or Quarles really stands out in camp, I can see us carrying 5 safeties on the active roster but I've felt all along Considine had a solid shot of being one of our backups. Just read an article that may help validate that opinion: this camp update [url="http://www.nfl.com/trainingcamp/story/09000d5d82aec2c7/article/baltimore-ravens-training-camp-joe-flacco-leads-sharp-offense"]http://www.nfl.com/trainingcamp/story/09000d5d82aec2c7/article/baltimore-ravens-training-camp-joe-flacco-leads-sharp-offense[/url] seems to paint a picture of Considine being one of our core special team guys, period.

"Considine is running the punt team, a position akin to 'hiring a new quarterback,' special-teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg said."

[Yatagarasu]

Omar Brown could be a sleeper here and could sneak into the final 53 if he keeps playing like he did against the Falcons (1 Int and 2 FR). Our Safety roster isn't locked nor deep after Pollard and Reed, so it could be a free for all and best man standing. Brown's stock is on the rise.

[BMORElegacy]

That Edward Earl Reed Jr. guy is a scrub.

*sarcasm button engaged*

I must say I'm really pumped about Pollard becoming one of the defensive leaders. He has always been a Raven. He was just not wearing the right colors until last season.

[FreckleNate]

Did you guys see Omar Brown's game against Atlanta I wouldn't be surprised if he makes the team.... He had two fumble recoveries and a pick... I don't know much about this young guy but he made a statement on Thursday.